10 Day Nomad Horseback Tour Trekking to Song-Kul
1/25
10 Day Nomad Horseback Tour Trekking to Song-Kul
Next available dates
Highlights
Embark on a 10-day nomad horse trekking expedition through the breathtaking Tian Shan Mountains showcasing the stunning landscapes and rich nomadic culture of Kyrgyzstan. Starting from the Shamshy Nature Sanctuary, home to diverse alpine wildlife - including a breeding snow leopard population -, through the yurt camps of Sarala-Saz - the “Yellow Swamp” -, to the shore steppes of Song-Kol Lake, this trip offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Throughout the expedition, nights are usually spent in heated tents or in the yurts of shepherd families along our path. The load will be carried by our horse caravan. You won’t need former experience in riding, these mountain horses are well-trained and you’ll soon get the hang of it. Shepherd families will invite us for traditional meals, but we’ll also be cooking under the open sky in hidden valleys and river basins.
Tours start with a minimum of 4 people.
Contact our team to request a private group tour or info on joining other travellers.
Itinerary
Bishkek to Shamshy
Bishkek
3 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeThe trip begins with a pickup from any location in Bishkek, followed by a transfer to Shamshi Gorge (120 km).Shamshy
3 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeAfter reaching Shamshi Gorge, we'll have lunch at the local Yurt Inn, which also serves as our accommodation for the night. Take a stroll in the nearby pine forest, immersing yourself in nature and preparing for the exciting journey ahead. Before the expedition, you’ll be introduced to the wildlife of Central Asia by our zoologist, and develop a keen eye for the subtle traces of life that may intertwine with your path along the journey.- AccommodationsWe'll spend the night at a local yurt inn in Shamshy.Food And DrinksLunchDinner
Shamshy Nature Reserve
Shamshy Nature Reserve
7 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedFollowing a hearty breakfast in the yurt, we'll load our gear, saddle up the horses, and start to ride towards the distant Shamshy Pass, situated at an elevation of 3570 meters. The Shamshy Wildlife Range, sprawling across nearly 200 square kilometres, shelters an array of iconic Central Asian fauna, including the Siberian ibex, the argali sheep, the Turkestan lynx and even a small population of snow leopards along with large birds of prey like the bearded vulture and more than 10 more species of vultures and eagles. This area holds great importance for the future conservation of endangered species in Kyrgyzstan due to recent legislation. After approximately 6 hours of trekking, we'll reach our campsite for the night near the Shamshy Pass.- AccommodationsThe nights are usually spent in a large communal tent provided by our team (portable wood-burning stove for heating).Food And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Shamshy to Sarala-Saz
Jailoo Sarala-Saz
7 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeThis day we continue our journey, crossing the Shamshy Pass and riding towards Sarala-Saz Jailoo. The name translates to "Yellow Swamp" due to the yellowish glow of the grass here. This alpine pasture, located at an altitude of 3060 meters, welcomes us with expansive meadows and yurt camps of nomadic families tending to their herds. We'll spend the rest of the day in this setting, immersing ourselves in the daily life of nomads and witnessing both the challenges and the beauties of their lives. Later, we set up the campsite and cook a delightful meal. With an anthropologist on the team, you'll have the chance to have conversations about the ancient cultural branches of Asia and develop a profound appreciation for nomadic cultures and history. Sarala-Saz and Song-Kul are surrounded by petroglyphs, round stone settings, and various burial mounds. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times.- AccommodationsOvernight in a local yurt or the hot tent.Food And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Karakol River Valley
Jumgal District
7 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeOn this day, we descend from the lush grasslands of the high pastures to the summer pasture of Iri-Suu, where we'll spend the night. As evening sets in, you can take the opportunity and have a leisurely walk across the surrounding hills to the valley of the Karakol River.- AccommodationsOvernight in the hot tent.Food And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Sook River through Buchuk Pass
Jumgal District
7 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeWe set off on our trek at the break of dawn, gradually ascending to the Buchuk Pass, perched at an altitude of 3400 meters. On the other side, a world of wonder unfolds before us—the enchanting Sook River valley. This lush basin showcases some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on our expedition, where the contrast of snow-capped ridges against vibrant slopes adorned with a tapestry of wildflowers creates a breathtaking sight to behold. We'll keep a keen eye out for the families of marmots that call this place home, and stay alert to spot the presence of birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, and even vultures, lending an air of untamed beauty to this isolated basin.- AccommodationsOvernight in the hot tent.Food And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Jumgal Valley
Jumgal District
7 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeOur next destination is the enchanting Jumgal Valley, accessed by crossing the nearby mountains through the Kum Bel Pass at an elevation of 3600 meters. Following the ridge from the pass's highest point, we'll reach the Kum Bel peak, situated at 3656 meters above sea level granting us a moment to reflect upon the majestic peaks we've left behind. After having lunch, we descend into the basin and trace its course until we reach the Kyzart Pass (2664 meters). We'll establish our campsite near the pass, where we'll spend a night surrounded by nature's embrace.- AccommodationsOvernight in the hot tent.Food And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Kilemchhe Jailoo
Kilemche
7 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeAfter breakfast, we cross the Kyzart Pass (2664 meters) and venture into the vast Kyzyl-Kiya Jailoo, a sprawling, flat grassland. After lunch, we proceed and reach the Chaar-Archa Pass at an altitude of 3061 m to descend into the scenic Chaar-Archa Valley. Riding across the surrounding hills, we finally reach Kilemche Jailoo. The name Kilemche means "carpet". The symphony of hills with their subtle shadings resembles the intricate patterns of a felt carpet. The valley boasts a gently flowing river and enchanting meadows adorned with herbs and flowers such as arnica, edelweiss, and gentian. In winter, some nomadic families even reside on farms within the valley. Eventually, these shepherds move on to the summer pastures of Song-Kul Lake.- AccommodationsOvernight in a local yurt camp.Food And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Song-Kul Lake
Song Kol Lake
7 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeThis day we embark on a morning climb to Jalgyz Karagai Pass (3400 meters), ascending over the Song-Kol Mountains and descending into the lake's basin. The ascent rewards us with breathtaking views of last night's campsite, Kilemche Jailoo, and as we make our way down the slopes on the other side, Song-Kol gradually reveals its splendour. Closing in, the towering mountains on the far side of the lake—the peaks of Moldo Too (4185 m)—rise higher and higher. Getting down to the basin, the lake fills our field of view; we reach our final destination. After a satisfying lunch, we follow the lakeshore to a local yurt camp. We'll spend the evening immersed in the rich culture and hospitality of the shepherds, enjoying meals and a comfortable night in their warm yurt beds.- AccommodationsOvernight in a local yurt camp.Food And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Leaving the Lake behind
Kyzart
7 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeThis is our last day of trekking before leaving our “nomadic lifeway” behind. Wake up before sunrise and go on a chilly walk in the morning steppe around the lake. This is the perfect time to capture the essence of this ancient place on camera. We may even get a chance to see some wildlife activity. After having breakfast in the yurt, we saddle the horses and start our way back to Kyzart village. Reaching Kyzart after a few hours, the host family will make us a meal to recharge. Children in Kyzart are curious and lively, you might get a chance to improvise and play games with them. We'll have lunch in a local restaurant (this is not included in the price).- AccommodationsOvernight in a local guesthouse.Food And DrinksBreakfastLunch
Back to Bishkek
Bishkek
2 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeToday, we’re heading back to the capital for a well-deserved rest after this intensive nomadic experience. If the group wants to, we can stop at interesting locations along the way and have a traditional lunch in a restaurant (not included in the price).- Food And DrinksBreakfast
What's included
INCLUDED
Camping gear
Lunch (9)
Dinner (8)
Breakfast (9)
Accommodation
Additional information
Must Know
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Good To Know
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Location
Address
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Provider
Tien Shan Trails
Best price guaranteed
From
GBP 0
Why Pelago?
- Trusted by millions of travellers
- Best price guarantee promise
- Choose from 200,000+ activities
- Earn KrisFlyer miles with every booking
- A Singapore Airlines company
Get 10% off on the app with promo code APP10
Scan to download